The Red Mouth by Sheila Armstrong review – profound exploration of Ireland’s deep time

Sheila Armstrong’s novel, The Red Mouth, is a complex and deeply thoughtful work that defies easy categorization. On its surface, it appears to be a story about two archaeological discoveries in rural Ireland: the remains of an ancient Irish elk and a young girl known as Belroe Woman. However, as the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that these events are merely the threads that weave together a rich tapestry of lives intersecting over time.

Armstrong’s use of language is a key aspect of the novel’s success. Her prose is characterized by vivid lyricism, evoking the eerie beauty of Ireland’s landscape with ease. The descriptions of the bog – its “quiet green matrices of sphagnum” and “grown-over sods arranged in uneven mounds” – are breathtaking. This lyricism recalls the works of other Irish writers such as Paul Lynch and Sara Baume.

But The Red Mouth is more than just a beautifully written novel about Ireland’s landscape. It is also a deeply thoughtful exploration of time, memory, and the human condition. The characters that populate this story – Patch, Maeve, Tomás, and Professor Liam Fleming, among others – are all haunted by the discoveries on the bog. For some, it serves as a reminder of their own mortality; for others, it represents a history that may or may not exist.

Armstrong employs multiple narrative threads to explore these themes. The novel’s structure is reminiscent of her acclaimed debut, Falling Animals, but whereas that book expanded outwards from two initial discoveries, The Red Mouth keeps circling back to the same characters over time. We see Tomás struggling to support his family as progress encroaches on their way of life; we witness Maeve’s growing unease with her role in preserving Ireland’s natural heritage; and we follow Professor Fleming’s obsessive pursuit of Belroe Woman, which becomes an all-consuming passion that defines his career.

One of the novel’s most striking features is its prescience. Written before the current climate crisis became a dominant concern, Armstrong’s work already grasped the central tension between our ancient past and immediate present. How can we foster an appreciation for deep geological time while also recognizing the urgent need to act in the face of catastrophic change? This question haunts every character in this story – and one that will resonate with readers long after they finish the book.

Armstrong’s writing is remarkable not just for its lyricism but also for its nuance. She avoids didacticism, never spelling out answers to her characters’ questions or the reader’s. Instead, she trusts us to follow the quiet increments of time as it unfolds in this story. We see new losses accrue; we witness mysteries set up only to remain unanswered. And yet, it’s precisely this uncertainty that becomes the novel’s greatest strength.

In an era where climate fiction is becoming increasingly popular, The Red Mouth stands out for its willingness to eschew big epiphanies and instead opt for a more meditative pace. It’s a novel that rewards close attention and reflection – not because it offers neat solutions or easy answers but because it asks us to engage with the uncertainty at the heart of human existence.

Ultimately, The Red Mouth is a testament to the power of literature to capture the essence of Ireland’s landscape and its people. It’s a deeply Irish novel that transcends borders and speaks to universal concerns about time, memory, and our place in the world. As we navigate the complexities of our own era – with all its attendant anxieties and uncertainties – this remarkable book offers us a profound reminder of the beauty and mystery that lies just beneath our feet.

Armstrong’s next move is anyone’s guess, but one thing is certain: she will bring her signature lyricism and nuance to whatever subject matter she chooses. And we can only hope that future readers will be as lucky as those of us who get to experience The Red Mouth for themselves.